The Cathedral, Lichfield (West Front)

Directly above the doorway is a statue of St Chad, to whom the Cathedral is dedicated - interestingly he is holding up the two middle fingers on his right hand in what looks very similar to the ‘peace’ sign adopted by the hippy movement in the 1960s (albeit with a different set of fingers!) The figure immediately to the left of him is King Richard II, and to the right, Penda, King of Mercia. It would be fitting to say that Chad had been a Bishop to King Penda, but apparently not. According to the Cathedral guide book, Chad was appointed Bishop of the Mercians in AD 669, which was in fact after King Penda's death (655).

(Information provided by Alf Beard)